Belgian trains

It's been about a few years since I last used one, but I believe I bought it from the counter. It's no more difficult than buying a ticket from the counter. Just ask.

I bought one over the counter last year, at the (small) Berchem station in Antwerp. The clerk was helpful, even though his English was limited. When you write in your trip (before the train starts moving), think carefully about your day's possibilities. What I mean is that when I was returning to Antwerp for the evening, sometimes I wrote in a destination like Turnhout. That's a place I would like to go and that you CAN'T get to without changing in Antwerp. (You can take a bus back to Antwerp from Turnhout.) That way I kept my options open for the afternoon without binding myself to one destination. I trust you know that more than one person can use this ticket at once.

Thanks for your help. i didn't know that you had to write in your destination on the ticket. So Tim what you are saying is that you would put in a possible further destination just in case you want to go further than Antwerp(as an example destination) in a particular day. That way if you want to end in Antwerp you can but you have the possiblity to go further if the mood strikes you once you are on your way. Good idea!!

Yes, however I'm sorry I may have created the impression that you have to write in both journeys "in the morning". You have to write in only the journey you are making at the time they are going to check your ticket. You could make a continuous journey with NO return trips and make no decisions in advance. I think the ticket is good for six months. You could also give the ticket to a friend who is remaining after your departure, although I think the conductor could check their identity if he/she chose to. I think this ticket is much cheaper if you are under (?) 26.